Welcome to Future Transport Tasmania

We are here to lobby for better public transport and rail infrastructure in Tasmania. We aim to find solutions to allow all Tasmanians to have environmentally responsible and affordable commuting options to get around our state and towns. A more detailed mission statement can be found in the left column or <here>.

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Media Release

CAPITAL CITY PLANS TO FAIL

Transport objectives contradictory and inefficient

Future Transport Tasmania (FTT) today released it's submission in response to the Planning Commission's Draft Hobart Capital City Plan (the plan). FTT responded solely to the transport related objectives and initiatives contained within the plan.

FTT found the plan drastically lacking common sense, with inherent contradictions contained within the plan between the broad objectives and the actual projects listed for completion. FTT found it extraordinary that rail, the most effective way of reducing carbon emissions and improving transport efficiency, was given little or no relevance according to the plan. FTT also found that although the plan featured an objective involving improving public transport patronage, large and expensive road construction projects were listed as initiatives, which would directly affect the viability of any public transport services.

Future Transport Tasmania spokesperson Toby Rowallan said: "If this is to be Hobart's overall guide to future planning, then the Government and Local Councils will be planning to fail. The Greater Hobart area will be doomed to suffer from expensive and ineffective road projects that will merely perpetuate the status quo that is our unsustainable transport system. We have called for an extension to the time available for public comment and we suggest that information regarding this plan be sent to all households in the Greater Hobart region. The future is too important for hasty decision-making, nor for the mistakes of the past to be repeated. We found this plan to be drastically flawed, and we believe the future transport policy of this state should be completely re-assessed," finished Mr Rowallan.

FTT's submission is available on request (please email us at info@futuretransporttas.org).

To lobby for and promote rail transport as a preferred option for bulk and intermodal freight

To lobby for and promote improvement and expansion of Tasmania’s rail infrastructure and network

-The retention of the Bridgewater to Hobart line- The reopening of various other lines eg. Derwent Valley, Wiltshire, Smithton and Scottsdale

To lobby for transport solutions to be integrated into urban and regional planning

PRIMARY RATIONALE

Climate change demands action, increased public transport services are inherent to this response

Increasing oil costs, together with the reality of Peak Oil will ensure that significant improvements to public transport services, with a much wider range of options, is necessary in the near future

Economic efficiency –assisting business and providing jobs

Equity and accessibility

Improved air quality and matching Tasmania’s Clean and Green brand

Addressing unsustainable traffic congestion

Removing discrimination –improving access to public transport for the disabled, elderly people and parents

More closely knit and cohesive communities;-eg. Neighbours who catch the same bus are much more likely to talk to one another in comparison to those who drive themselves to work

The notion that public transport systems or indeed a publicly owned rail system have to pay their own way is potentially counterproductive to the aim of such a system-Were Hobart’s old tram and suburban rail systems closed due to lack of patronage, or running costs?

Current demand is not relative to future use, simply because of the lack of current transport alternatives

Rail transport is potentially far more efficient than road, and has multiple benefits alongside decreasing carbon emissions, including;-significantly decreased road maintenance costs-potentially decreased road toll and associated costs relating to heavy vehicle crashes-Tasmania’s rail network was constructed in the 19th century and has to compete with a 20th century highway

MORE ABOUT US

Until now there has been no community-based group advocating public and rail transport. We are here to fill this gap and provide a voice for these issues in the public arena.

We mean business and will work as vigorously as any corporate lobby group does, except that unlike some we want to hear public opinion.

Membership of FTT is open to any person who wishes to be a part of it.

We are not affiliated with any political party. We welcome discussion of our agenda and ideas with anyone, and we hope to have discussions with all three major political parties in Tasmania about these issues.

Tasmania is currently re-defining itself. As part of this process of change and growth, in a vision of sustainability and progress, transport infrastructure is a vital part of nation (and state) building. Future Transport Tasmania aims to bring this vision of the future into today’s public debate.

For further information and comment:Toby Rowallan (Secretary) 0418 997 069Email: